It’s potato time! Potato lovers and even those who don’t like them should be delighted to know that potatoes have nutritional components that go far beyond sugar, carbohydrates and calories, they are also an tremendous beneficial addition to any dietary plan.

• Potassium- Potatoes provide a large amount of potassium of any fruit or vegetable. Potatoes rank highest for potassium among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables and the top 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits. Research suggests that diets involving potassium reduce the risk of things like hypertension, blood pressure and heart disease.

Potatoes rank highest for potassium among the top 20 most frequently consumed raw vegetables and the top 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits.

• Digestion- Potatoes predominantly contain carbohydrates, they are easy to digest and facilitate digestion. This makes them a good diet for babies or for those who cannot digest hard food, but need energy. However, too many potatoes on a regular basis may cause acidity over time. Potatoes also hold a considerable amount of fiber or roughage (more in raw potatoes and cold ones than boiled or hot ones). This stimulates motion and increased secretion of gastric juices, which eases digestion and prevents conditions like constipation.

• Inflammation- Potatoes are very effective in reducing inflammation, both internal and external. Since it is soft, easily digested and has a lot of vitamin-C (an antioxidant that repairs tissue wear and tear), potassium and vitamin-B6, it can relieve any inflammation of the intestines and the digestive system.

• Skin Care- Vitamin-C as well as minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc are good for the skin. Also the pulp obtained from crushed raw potatoes, mixed with honey, can work well in skin and face mixtures. This even helps to cure pimples and spots on the skin. Also, this pulp, if applied externally on burns, provides quick relief and faster healing.

• High Blood Pressure- Potatoes can be used to relieve high blood pressure due to tension. They can also treat indigestion due to abundance of vitamin-C and fiber, but they should be avoided if the high blood pressure is a result of diabetes. The fiber present in potatoes is helpful in lowering cholesterol and improves functioning of insulin in the body, which helps in the lowering of blood pressure. This is because there is a direct relation between blood pressure and the glucose level in the blood; insulin helps regulate the glucose level. Additionally, the potassium found in potatoes lowers blood pressure.

Potatoes provide one of the most concentrated and affordable sources of potassium—significantly more than those foods commonly associated with being high in potassium (e.g. bananas, oranges, mushrooms, broccoli etc.

Potato History:

• Idaho, the present-day largest producer of potatoes, actually did not begin growing potatoes until 1836.

• French fries were introduced to the U.S. when Thomas Jefferson served them in the White House during his Presidency of 1801-1809.

• The first permanent potato patches in North America were established in 1719, most likely near Londonderry ( or Derry), NH, by Scotch-Irish immigrants. From there, the crop spread across the country.

Did you know...

• The potato became the first vegetable to be grown in space in October, 1995.

SO MANY CHOICES! ALL SO DELICIOUS!

These are just a few of the many wonderful things that potatoes are able to benefit. Potatoes are one of the most common and important food sources on the planet, and they contain a wealth of health benefits that make them all the more beneficial as a primary dietary item for much of the world’s population.

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